Wild Orca: The Oldest, Wisest Whale in the World

by Brenda Peterson, Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

A picture book homage to Granny, the world’s oldest known orca, who lived to be 105 years old!
For animal lovers and future environmentalists.

“Will Granny and her family come again this year?” Dark fins slice through whitecaps, heading straight toward shore.

Told from the perspective of young Mia and her family on a whale-watching excursion in the San Juan Islands, here is a moving homage to Granny, the world’s oldest known orca. This intimate and informative story celebrates the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife. It also sheds light on communication and family connections in both human and orca communities, all while answering essential questions about how these intelligent animals live.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Science, Nature, Travel

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 18, 2018

About the author

Brenda Peterson is the author of over 20 books, including the recently released murder mystery, Stiletto. Her first memoir Build Me an Ark: A Life with Animals, chosen as a “Best Spiritual Book of 2001,” to three novels, one of which, Duck and Cover, was chosen by New York Times as a Notable Book of the Year. Her second memoir, a dark comedy of family and faith, is I Want To Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth; it was selected by The Christian Science Monitor among the Top Ten Best Non-Fiction Books and chosen by independent bookstores as an Indie Next and a Great Read.
Her non-fiction has appeared in numerous national newspapers, journals, and magazines, including The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, Reader’s Digest, Christian Science Monitor, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Utne Reader. Oprah.com featured her Your Life is a Book: How to Craft and Publish Your Memoir. Her new kid’s are Wild Orca and Lobo: A Wolf Family Returns Home.

Reviews

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An evocative story about the world's oldest know Orca.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations by Wendell MInor. Great introduction to young children about this whale pod in particular and orcas in general.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up. I love whales. Excellent back matter. Story about the oldest known orca, who has subsequently died.

[Julie Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most people who know me, know that I love Orcas. This beautiful picture book is about a wild Orca named Granny who was the world's oldest know Orca. She was the matriach of J, K and L pods, made famous in the movie Free Willy.
This is a lovely look at a family on two legs who have grown watching these magnificent creatures come to town every year. It is a great story for helping to teach our children what keeping wild animals in the wild can do to help them survive and thrive

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction booklegger children's book is about Orcas. Mia, a little girl, is on the San Juan Islands waiting to sing to the Orcas who come there on June 20th--the longest day of the year. She is looking forward to seeing "Granny" the oldest Orca known to man and who leads 3 pods of orcas studied by scientist. Granny was born right about the same time as Jacques Cousteau and during the sinking of the titanic. The author goes through all the historical and technological changes during Granny's time. We learn about Whale whistles, and how they depend on Salmon to eat. Orcas are mammals like humans and depend on each other to survive. Mia waits to sing with the orcas and at the end of the book she and all the other state of washington, lime Kiln Science research station get to be rewarded with a mega pod---all 3 pods together! A big family reunion. It's a lovely story...although there is a afterward saying Granny hasn't been seen with her family since 2016 so she is presumed to be dead.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mia and her family gather on the shores of San Juan Island off the coast of Washington State in order to whale watch. They're anxious to see the whales arrive in the area, but particularly keen to see Granny, born in 1911 and now 105 years old. While she waits, she ponders the threats that endanger orca whales like Granny and how they communicate. Readers will delight in the description of the whales singing and moving through the water. I loved how this young girl took a very real interest in the whales and in Granny who had lived through all sorts of historical events, leading her pods to where they needed to be. The back matter provides additional information about Granny, who apparently died in 2016. The handsome gouache watercolor illustrations capture the anticipation of the whales' arrival as well as the beauty and grace of these orcas. I finished this picture book with a renewed respect for this incredible species.

[Meagan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wonder the longest life span of an Orca whale? In this story, we learn about the travel mannerisms of the Orca whale and how they make contact with each other. This story focuses on the Orca whale named Granny, the oldest Orca to ever live, which lived to be 105 years old. This story, about the oldest Orca whale, is great for students that are animal lovers and will be beneficial in the classroom to show students that animals have a similar way of communicating, like we do.

[Mackenzie Dunagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wild Orca is a book about the oldest known orca who lived to be 105 years old. This was a very informational book that could be interesting for any animal lovers. If I was teaching younger grades I would read this book to introduce sea creatures and under water world. This would be a fantastic book to read to younger students because it is still a pictures book while also including fun facts about new creatures the students have never been introduced to.

[Ryen Giddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Wild Orca" is a book about a grandmother who is telling her granddaughter about the oldest whale known to live in the ocean, her name was Granny! This book talks all about whales and how they live, breathe, eat, and communicate with each other. "Wild Orca" is perfect for students interested in sea animals. This book allows students to connect themselves to whales as well relating to the way whales communicate and how they survive in their own world.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful wonderful tale of Granny the Wild Orca! I read this book in my son's first grade class and all the kids listened attentively and had a million questions wanting to learn more about Orcas. I love the theme and again the pictures are just gorgeous. A must have in every child's bookcase.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia and her family participate in the annual Orca Sing on the islands off the coast of Washington. They are anxious to see Granny--the matriarch of the pod--who is more that 100 years old! They will also be watching for calves to ensure that these highly endangered animals are surviving. Will the orcas come? The book is illustrated with beautiful Wendell Minor paintings. Back matter provides the reader with more information about wild orcas.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bookaday #12. Whale watching from Friday Harbor and the whale museum is not to be missed. Nice story about a family listening for and singing with the whales, wish the illustrations were a smidge more realistic with sharper lines. Author note at the end with more info on the whales. Pair with SONG FOR A WHALE by Lynne Kelly

[Sarah Krajewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a son obsessed with orcas, and watching him read this book was pure magic. He loved learning about the orcas of the San Juan Islands, and he now wants to go there and hear them sing. Also, we may be adopting an orca soon! 😁

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice story about the Orca's that live in the San Juan Islands. The information in the book is informative but also told through a story, which makes it very accessible. The maps at the beginning and end pages are also very beautiful.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book story is based on a real orca named Granny who lived to be 105 years old. It is a great blend of story and facts about orcas. It is a long story so it would be better for upper elementary children.

[Steven Yeagley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, short read that shared facts about Granny and her pods in an engaging story. The additional information at the end of the book also shared ways in which the reader can help conservation efforts.

[Lisa Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is full of interesting facts about Orca Whales. I think this would be great for teaching students about the whales and marine biology involved along with a little bit about history and ethical issues with keeping large marine life in captivity.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my second grader. Good book for kids practicing new words. My daughter wants to work with orcas when she grows up, and this book gave her a nice history on Granny and how whales communicate. Some lovely illustrations, too.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part story and part informational. A little girl goes with her parents to the shore to see if they can spot Granny, a 105-year-old orca.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous story about an annual whale watching gathering off the coast of Washington State. Information about whale conservation and details about existing orca pods done in a kid-friendly way.

[Annthelibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book. Save the orcas!

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. The story was beautifully illustrated and had simple text that really helped me to connect to Granny's story.

[Jennifer Heine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a huge read aloud hit, and we made the whale sounds along with the Orcas.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little science, a lot of touching story.

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about the Orca whales and the journey they take most years. Also the dangers they face. And the facts about the real Granny and her three families.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elementary and up story about a girl and her family getting ready to welcome a family of Orca's back and worrying if all have made it back. Nice afterward about Orca's at end.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minor's illustrations as always are stunning! A unique perspective on conservation and how humans play a role.

[Margaret]

You think your respect cannot elevate. You believe nothing else can astonish you. New information astounds you. Your admiration climbs. You realize, yet again, we share this planet with incredible beings. Their very existence, in the light of constant changes and challenges, is nearly miraculous.

Orcas, the largest member of the dolphin family, also known as killer whales are endangered according to the U. S. Endangered Species Act. This is specific to those orcas found in the southern resident community off the state of Washington. (They are also protected under the Canadian Species at Risk Act as their range extends to British Columbia.) In Wild Orca: The oldest, wisest whale in the world (Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company, September 18, 2018) written by Brenda Peterson with illustrations by Wendell Minor readers, through the voice of a young girl, meet Granny, an orca believed to have lived 105 years.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Brenda Kahn]

There are a lot of facts about the orca pods that are studied in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington woven into a story about a little girl who eagerly awaits the return of the pod. Gorgeously illustrated. Author's note and unique end-pages. Loved this.